Wild Birds of Nebraska Photography Tour

2027 Wild Birds of Nebraska Photography Tour Travel Plans

Sunday, March 7 (D)

Arrive in Nebraska mid-afternoon via Central Nebraska Regional Airport (GRI) or Kearney Regional Airport (EAR), then transfer to the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Grand Island (or similar) to settle in.

This evening, we’ll gather for a welcome dinner to get acquainted and prepare for an exciting few days of wildlife photography. Our time in the Platte River Valley will focus on encounters with Sandhill Cranes, Greater Prairie Chickens, American Bison, and the diverse wildlife of the Great Plains.

Overnight at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Grand Island (or similar)

Monday, March 8 (B, L, D)

We’ll depart the hotel early this morning for our first Greater Prairie Chicken blind session, arriving at the lek before sunrise. As dawn breaks across the prairie, the males begin their spectacular courtship display, rapidly stamping their feet, raising their head feathers, inflating their vivid orange air sacs, and producing the haunting “booming” calls that echo across the open grasslands. As activity builds, the males may also spar with one another, squaring off in dramatic bursts of aggression as they compete for the attention of females.

After the morning shoot and lunch, we’ll stop by the Crane Trust Visitor Center, where we’ll enjoy an introductory presentation about Sandhill Cranes, their habitat, and the important conservation work taking place here. This will provide a fascinating introduction to the ecosystem and help set the stage for our dedicated crane photography sessions.

The Crane Trust places you at the heart of one of North America’s most remarkable wildlife spectacles: the annual migration of Sandhill Cranes along Nebraska’s Platte River. Each March, more than one million cranes gather throughout the region.

After dinner, the spectacle begins! We’ll head into the field for our first evening crane blind session, positioning ourselves as the cranes become active and the evening unfolds. As the light changes and the cranes take flight, interact, and settle into their surroundings, you’ll have your first chance to capture these magnificent birds in their natural environment.

The custom-built, expertly camouflaged blinds are strategically positioned along the river for excellent views and optimal light. Large viewing windows accommodate longer lenses, while specialized tripod slots and comfortable seating make it easy to settle in for extended photography sessions. With just four guests and a photo guide in each blind, you’ll enjoy an intimate setting and plenty of room to work.

Return to the hotel after the blind session. Overnight at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Grand Island

Tuesday, March 9 (B, L, D)

Rise and shine! We’ll begin the morning with an early departure to the Crane Trust’s private photography blinds along the Platte River. We’ll settle in before sunrise, cameras ready, as hundreds of thousands of Sandhill Cranes begin lifting off the river in the soft early-morning light.

After our morning blind session, we’ll spend the middle of the day exploring the Crane Trust property and surrounding county roads, looking for additional wildlife and opportunities to photograph panoramic prairie vistas. This region supports an extraordinary diversity of flora and fauna, with a chance to encounter:

• 281 bird species, including Piping Plovers, Whooping Cranes, Pelicans, Ring-necked Pheasants, raptors including Bald Eagles and Great Horned Owls, along with numerous species of ducks and other waterfowl, the list goes on!
• 51 mammal species, including White-tailed and Mule Deer, Beaver, and Pronghorn Antelope
• 17 reptile/amphibian species, as well as 350 species of insects

A highlight of our time at the Trust will be an excursion to photograph its genetically pure herd of bison, an iconic Great Plains animal, as they move through the expansive prairie landscape.

As afternoon gives way to evening, we’ll return to the river for our second blind session of the day. We’ll get settled before the cranes begin returning to their nighttime roosts, photographing them as they stream back toward the river, interact with one another, and settle in for the night. The warm evening light, combined with the constant movement of birds on the river, makes for a memorable way to end the day.

Throughout our time at the Trust, we’ll continue learning from Crane Trust biologists and staff about the cranes, the Platte River ecosystem, and the conservation challenges facing this important habitat. A portion of each experience fee supports the Crane Trust’s ongoing habitat preservation and wildlife conservation efforts.

Overnight at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Grand Island

Wednesday, March 10 (B, L, D)

Before dawn, we’ll return to the Crane Trust for our final morning photography session with the Sandhill Cranes. As the river roosts slowly awaken, we’ll listen for those first calls, building into an unforgettable chorus of trills and bugling notes.  Then, as the first light reaches across the horizon, comes our final opportunity to witness and photograph the spectacular lift-off. Thousands of cranes will rise from the roost, filling the morning sky as they head across the fields to feed, a fitting farewell to these magnificent birds.

This afternoon, we’ll transfer to the Crowne Plaza Kearney for easier access to the Greater Prairie Chicken lek for tomorrow’s morning blind session. The hotel also provides convenient access to Kearney Regional Airport.

Tonight, we’ll gather for our final group dinner, sharing stories and reminiscing about our time along the Platte River as we prepare for our last morning in Nebraska.

Overnight at the Crowne Plaza Kearney

Thursday, March 11 (B)

As our time in Nebraska draws to a close, we’ll head to the blind for one last opportunity to photograph the remarkable Greater Prairie Chickens. We’ll arrive before sunrise and settle in as the prairie awakens and the males begin their fascinating courtship displays. Their booming calls, dramatic posturing, and energetic interactions provide an unforgettable finale to our Nebraska wildlife adventure.

After the morning session, we’ll return to the hotel, gather our belongings, and make our way to Kearney Regional Airport (EAR), arriving by 1:00 pm, to catch our flights home this afternoon. Depart from Kearney Regional Airport (EAR) at 2:00 pm or later.